Ste didn''t say a word when she saw him. Joshua also took a seat, right next to her.


    Haynes''s brow furrowed slightly as he watched Joshua sit down sofortably beside Ste. His eyes then scanned the dishes on the table, and his frown deepened.


    In addition to Ste''s and Keen''s favorite foods, there were two dishes that Ste never touched and Keen rarely ate. They weren''t his favorites either. That could only mean they had been made specifically for Joshua.


    It was then that Haynes realized that not a single one of his favorite dishes was on the table.


    A knot formed in his stomach.


    In the past, the table would have been filled with food that he and Keen loved.


    "You''re not having anything, Mr. O''Brien?" Joshua asked, a smirk ying on his lips. "Is there nothing here to your liking?"


    "This is a family dinner, Mr. Gardner," Haynes said coolly. "As an outsider, it''s already inappropriate for you to be here. Commenting on others'' business is even more out of line."<fn940a> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find[?]ovel</fn940a>


    This time, Ste spoke up before Joshua could. "Haynes, Joshua is not an outsider. If anyone here is an outsider, it''s you."


    Although their divorce had been messy, Haynes had been trying to make amends ever since he came to his senses. For Keen''s sake, Ste had maintained a civil rtionship with him, and things had been rtively peacefultely. But that didn''t give him the right to lecture her guests. They were no longer married; he had no authority here.


    Haynes stared at her for a few seconds, a look of disbelief on his face. She was defending Joshua, even in front of their son. He knew that Ste usually made an effort to maintain a respectful front for Keen''s sake. This was the first time she had thrown that consideration out the window.


    Keen, sensing the tense atmosphere, was about to say something when a piece of foodnded on his te.


    "Keen, try this," Joshua said. "Your mom learned to make it just for you. It''s even better than what you get at the restaurant."


    Keen''s attention was immediately diverted. "Thanks, Mr. Joshua." He then picked up a piece of his own favorite dish and ced it on


    Joshua''s te "You should try that


    Mr. Joshua It''s my favorite, and only my mom can make it taste this


    good."


    Joshua''s intervention broke the tension. Ste looked away from Haynes, ignoring him for the rest of the meal.


    After dinner, Ste arranged for Haynes to stay in the room next to Keen''s. Before heading to bed, Keen turned to Joshua. "Don''t forget ourpetition, Mr. Joshua. See you tomorrow!"


    "See you tomorrow," Joshua replied with a smile.


    The next morning, Joshua took Keen out for the day. Ste watched them go, aplex expression on her face. She couldn''t help but think of what Joshua had said in the kitchen the day before.


    "Star, whatever you want, I will find a way to get it for you."